Why Consider Metallic Belts for Your Application?
Engineers who specify metal belts have options available to them that they don’t have when using other products or components. Some important features and benefits are talked about below.
HIGH STRENGTH-TO-WEIGHT RATIO:
This is an edge in practically every application where high strength, light-weight, or both are essential.
DURABILITY:
Metal belts may withstand sustained contact with extremes of temperature, hostile conditions, and vacuum. A variety of alloys may be used, each with its own resistance to chemicals, humidity, and corrosion. Engineers generally select a belt material predicated on physical properties, availability, and cost.
NO LUBRICATION:
Unlike the links of a chain, a steel belt is a single element and, therefore, does not generate any component friction that requires lubrication. This reduces program maintenance, boosts reliability, and keeps the system clean.
NONSTRETCHABLE:
Spring steels with a high modulus of elasticity make metal belts virtually nonstretchable when compared with various other belt types and chain. This makes them ideal in high performance applications for precision positioning.
SMOOTH OPERATION:
Metal belts are free from the pulsation of chordal action often seen in other belt types and chain. This results in specific translation of the control system motion profile.
ACCURATE AND REPEATABLE:
Metal timing belts could be fabricated with a pitch precision of ±0.0005 inches station to station. This high amount of precision is extremely useful in creating indexing, positioning, or processing equipment.
Great THERMAL AND ELECTRICAL CONDUCTIVITY:
Metal belts may transmit energy in the kind of heat, cold, and electricity.
NO STATIC BUILD-UP:
Metallic belts discharge static electrical power, an essential capability in the manufacture of electronic components such as integrated circuits and surface area mount devices.
CLEAN:
Unlike HTD or flat neoprene belts, metal belts usually do not generate particulate and are perfect for food and pharmaceutical processing.
CLEAN ROOM COMPATIBLE:
Metal belts do not require lubricants and can not generate dirt that would introduce foreign substances into clean space environments. Additionally, they might be sterilized in an autoclave.
PRECISE CONSTRUCTION:
Edges are simple and dimensions are tightly toleranced.
Steel conveyor belt pulleys are critical to the look of any automated conveyor belt program. They become the driving force behind the motion of the belt, creating torque and velocity. In very general terms it can be stated that pulleys are categorized as friction drive or timing pulleys (type I and II). Precision may be the name of the game when it comes to pulleys. A metal belt is as good and exact as the pulleys. Many pulleys suggested by Ever-power are made from anodized aluminum (hard layer) with the right friction coefficient to drive the metal belt. Stainless steel may also be used but it is expensive and heavy, although it might become indicated using applications where extra hardness is essential. If your application requires a lighter pulley, the professionals at Ever-power will help you choose the best material.
Selecting the right pulley size and configuration can have a significant influence on the lifespan and effectiveness of a conveyor belt. Ever-power engineers possess the knowledge and experience to help you choose the appropriate pulley type, diameter, and composition to reduce maintenance downtime and maximize product volume.
Steel Conveyor Belt Pulley Types
Ever-power designs custom steel conveyor belt pulleys and configurations to bring maximum efficiency to one’s body. While metallic conveyor belts are usually made of stainless, pulleys can be created from a number of materials, including aluminum or a variety of plastic composites. Based on the unique needs of your system, the pulleys can also be installed with customized timing attachments, relief stations, and more.
Independently Steerable Pulley
Ever-power has developed a forward thinking concept in flat belt tracking called the ISP (independently steerable pulley), which can be used in the following system designs:
· Two pulley conveyor systems where the ISP is the idler or driven pulley
· Systems with multiple idler pulleys on a common shaft
· Systems with serpentine or additional complex belt paths
Steering toned belts with an ISP is based on the idea of changing tension romantic relationships over the width of the belt by adjusting the position of the pulley relative to the belt.
Rather than moving the pulley shaft still left/right or up/straight down by pillow block adjustment, the ISP fits a adjustable steering collar and sealed bearing assembly to the body of the pulley.
The steering collar was created with either a skewed or an offset bore. When rotated, the collar changes the angle of the pulley body, leading to controlled, bi-directional movement of the belt over the pulley face.
The ISP is exclusively available from Ever-power. It offers a simple approach to steering flat metallic belts. Users may combine ISP steering with the traditional belt tracking styles of crowning, flanging, and timing components to create a synergistic belt monitoring system which efficiently and exactly steers the belt to specific tracking parameters.
Unique Characteristics and Benefits of the ISP
· Toned belts are tracked quickly by rotating the steering collar.
· ISP designs minimize downtime when changing belts on production machinery.
· ISP system is easy to use and requires simply no special tools or schooling.
· ISP simplifies the design and assembly of conveyor systems using smooth belts.
· Existing idler pulleys can normally end up being retrofitted to an ISP without main system modifications.
· No maintenance is necessary once the belt monitoring parameters have already been established.
· It prolongs belt existence by minimizing part loading when working with flanges and timing pulleys.
ISP Pulley (picture and cross-section view)
Installation and Use
The ISP is mounted to the system frame using commercially available pillow blocks. A clamp is utilized to avoid the shaft from turning.
The Rotated Shaft Approach to ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Is used in combination with systems having an individual pulley on the shaft.
· Is ALWAYS utilized when the pulley body is a capped tube style.
· Is NEVER used when multiple pulleys are on a common shaft.
· Used selectively when the ISP is certainly a steering roll in a multiple pulley program.
Protected the ISP to the shaft using the split training collar and locking screw included in the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a device. When the desired tracking features are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will today rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This method allows the belt to become tracked while working under tension.
Secure the ISP to the shaft using the split training collar and locking screw built into the ISP. Rotate the shaft and collar as a device. When the required tracking features are obtained, avoid the shaft from rotating by securing the shaft clamp. The pulley body will today rotate about the bearing included in the ISP assembly. This technique allows the belt to be tracked while running under tension.
The Rotated Collar Method of ISP Flat Belt Tracking
· Used to individually change each belt/pulley combination when there are multiple pulleys on a common shaft.
· Utilized when systems possess a cantilevered shafting typical of serpentine and other complex belt path systems. It is recommended that these changes be made only once the belt is at rest.
Fix the shaft via the shaft clamp, loosen the locking screw of the steering collar, and rotate the steering collar about the shaft. When the desired belt tracking characteristics are obtained, secure the locking screw.
Which Design Is Correct for You?
There are various applications for this new product, so Ever-power designs and manufactures independently steerable pulleys to suit your needs. Contact Ever-power to discuss your queries or for design assistance.
Ever-power may be the worldwide innovator in the look and manufacturing of application-specific pulleys, steel belts, and drive tapes. Our products provide exclusive benefits for machinery found in precision positioning, timing, conveying, and automated production applications.
System Configuration
Number 1 1 – The drive pulley is a friction drive pulley.
· The ISP is certainly a friction-driven pulley. This configuration is usually specified for a monitoring precision of 0.030″ (0.762 mm) or greater.
· Teflon® flanges are attached to the pulley body to establish a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP can be used to set one edge of the belt against the flange with minimal side-loading to the belt.
System Configuration
#2 2 – The drive pulley is a timing pulley.
· The ISP is usually a friction driven pulley. The teeth of the drive pulley and the perforations of the belt establish a lateral constraint. The steering feature of the ISP is used to reduce side-loading of the belt perforations. Tracking precision is between 0.008″ (0.203 mm) and 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal belt systems.
OR
· The ISP is definitely a timing pulley. One’s teeth of the ISP and the perforations of the belt are used for precise monitoring control of the belt with the steering feature of the ISP used to minimize aspect loading of belt perforations. Again, tracking precision is usually 0.008″ (0.203 mm) to 0.015″ (0.381 mm) for metal bells.
Note: Although it is generally not recommended to possess timing elements in both the drive and driven pulleys, this design can be utilized selectively on metal belt systems with lengthy middle distances between pulleys and in applications where particulate accumulation on the top of pulley consistently changes the tracking feature of the belt.